Thousands March Against Looser Abortion Laws in Spain

Over 100,000 to 500,000 people (depending who you believe) marched in Spain Sunday to demonstrate against government laws that would increase access to abortion. As part of one protest, children danced while singing "Thank you mommy for letting me live."
Since 1985, when Spain decriminalized abortion, women can only receive abortions in special cases: up to 12 weeks into pregnancy in the case of rape; up to 22 weeks in the case of malformation of fetus; at any point if it represented a threat to physical or mental health of the woman. The Church greatly influenced these laws in the traditionally Catholic country.

Spain's current government wants to increase legal protections for abortion providers and seekers, while also allowing girls 16 or older to get an abortion without parental consent. Many doctors refuse abortion in Spain for ethical reasons or out of fear of legal prosecution.

In addition to impacting the lives of Spanish women, the outcome of this latest abortion battle will test the influence of the Catholic Church in Spain.